Midsomer Murders: Death Of The Small Coppers. Television Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Neil Dudgeon, Nick Hendrix, Fiona Dolman, Annette Badland,  Ann Eleonora Jorgensen, Mark Benton, Peter Egan, Ellie Haddinton, Ray Fearon, Thusitha Jayasundera, Ella Kenion, John Light, Niamh McGrady, Chance Perdomo.

It never does a television series any harm to rejuvenate itself every now and then, it arguably suggests an element of self-awareness that it is willing to go through the process of reincarnation, like an insect that becomes sheltered in its cocoon, when it re-emerges out into the sunlight it can be seen to be more colourful, more illuminating than it had the chance to be before.

Midsomer Murders: Death Of The Small Coppers. Television Review. full post

(431 words, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

Green Day’s American Idiot To Visit The Playhouse This July.

A special tenth anniversary tour of a rock musical with music by multi- Grammy award-winning band Green Day will visit the Liverpool Playhouse from 9th-13th July.

American Idiot features hit songs from the band including Boulevard of Broken Dreams, 21 Guns, Wake Me Up When September Ends, Holiday and the blockbuster title track American Idiot.

American Idiot follows three boyhood friends, each searching for meaning in a post 9/11 world. A story of youthful disillusion and mistrust, the production draws parallels with the U.S.A. today, where school children have mobilised to form an impressive campaign for gun law reform.

Green Day’s American Idiot To Visit The Playhouse This July. full post

(251 words, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)

10CC, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2019).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There is a gracefulness to be thanked for, saluted even, when it comes to enjoying an evening in the presence of one of the finest songwriters of British Pop/Rock history; for when you are in the company of Graham Gouldman and 10cc you instinctively feel the elegance and accomplished hand of musical professionalism resound throughout the venue and reflect the light like diamonds of the faces of the sell-out crowds that give any evening its permanent vibe.

10CC, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. (2019). full post

(452 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

Kitty: Queen Of The Washhouse, Theatre Review. St George’s Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast Samantha Alton.

We raise the idea of heroism up to the point where we often forget the story that inspired such feelings of gratitude in the first place, we see the plinth with their name attached, the statue put up by a grateful populace, and in time the only ones who pay attention to the image, the figure on the pedestal, is the day tripper and the pigeons who survey humanity with the bird-like contempt we deserve.

Kitty: Queen Of The Washhouse, Theatre Review. St George’s Hall, Liverpool. full post

(504 words, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)

Joanne Shaw Taylor, Reckless Heart. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

A Reckless Heart is easy to find, one with soul and creative joy oozing out of every moment it is held is rare, seldom seen but heard of in whispers, as if containing elements of myth and magic within its weaved grooves; for in every reckless heart that embraces the world with art there stands a sculptor and a surgeon fashioning the wounded nucleus of the body with extra compassion and spirit, one that gathers strength to sing, not whisper, of all that caused the rashness and wild to storm the streets and love all they came into contact with.

Joanne Shaw Taylor, Reckless Heart. Album Review. full post

(402 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Fisherman’s Friends. Film Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision rating 8.5/10

Cast: Tuppence Middleton, Daniel Mays, James Purefoy, David Hayman, Christian Brassington, Sarah Winter, Dave Johns, Noel Clarke, Jade Anouka, Christopher Villiers, Maggie Steed, Jo Hart, Sam Swainsbury, Oliver Wellington, Julian Seager, Ken Drury, Sandy Foster, Charlotte Baker, Mae Voogd.

A nation apart but attached to England by the narrowest of land borders, a distinctive people who have been ravaged by plunderers and prospectors, who up until only recently have been told that their heritage and language was barren, extinct and their people mocked for their accent, their willingness to not join in the race that has splintered other communities in the name of gentrification. Cornwall may be an English county but it is to be argued that it is own country and woe betide the incomer who tries to take away their language, their song.

Fisherman’s Friends. Film Review. full post

(406 words, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)

What Men Want, Film Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating *

Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Kristen Ledlow, Josh Brener, Kellen Lutz, Mathias Alvaraz, Chris Witaske, Max Greenfield, Paul B. Johnson, Brian Bosworth, Kauser Mohammed, Richard Roundtree, Taj-Naranja Jenkines, Aldis Hodge, Auston Jon Moore, Devonta Freeman, John Collins, Tracy Morgan, Shane Paul McGhie, Lisa Leslie, phoebe Robinson, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Tamala Jones.

What Men Want, Film Review. full post

(476 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

Starsailor’s James Walsh Will Be Performing At EBGBS’ This May.

Front man of multi-million selling band Starsailor, James Walsh has proven his own worth as a singer-songwriter in his own right. He’s written songs with Eliza Doolittle, Melanie C, Suzanne Vega, and Professor Green – to name a few; as well as writing movie soundtracks and now he will be coming to Liverpool’s EBGBS’ for a special night of music on May 22nd.

Starsailor’s initial run of success saw both their Love is Here debut album and the 2003 follow-up Silence is Easy hit #2 on the U.K. charts as they raced to a total of 3 million sales. The band also enjoyed more than their fair share of prestigious gigs, supporting the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Police, The Killers, and U2.

Starsailor’s James Walsh Will Be Performing At EBGBS’ This May. full post

(300 words, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)

Television Presenter And Comedian Alexander Armstrong Announces “Revealing” New Show At Warrington’s Parr Hall This November.

Alexander Armstrong will be baring all on his latest tour All Mouth and Some Trousers; expect candid stories, laughter, music and some relief that “baring all” is just a figurative expression.

Known as one half of comedy double act Armstrong and Miller and the presenter of B.B.C. One’s celebrated early evening quiz programme Pointless, Alexander also narrates children’s favourite Hey Duggee and presents on Classic FM.

On Saturday 9th November the Warrington audience can find out what lurks behind the mere noise; there will be songs, there will be stories, there will be trousers – with any luck.

Television Presenter And Comedian Alexander Armstrong Announces “Revealing” New Show At Warrington’s Parr Hall This November. full post

(129 words, estimated 31 secs reading time)

Joanne Shaw Taylor, Gig Review. O2 Academy, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There is nothing reckless about Joanne Shaw Taylor, wild and as full of tempestuous cosmic storms that erupt from the Sun as it gives into its cycle of moods but never reckless, never irresponsible with the hearts of those who seek to spend their time in her company. She is attentive to the soul with a smile beguilingly appearing as the notes hang in the air and the manner of expression is savoured, it is the dedication to her craft that has created such an explosive sound and one that is cared for on both sides of the stage.

Joanne Shaw Taylor, Gig Review. O2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(497 words, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)